These old-fashioned raisin bran muffins with molasses are made with plain wheat bran and sultana raisins. The one-bowl batter bakes into soft, moist muffins with a hearty bran crumb for breakfast, snacks, or freezing ahead.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and set the oven rack just above center.
In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, wheat bran, baking soda, and salt. Stir to distribute evenly.
1 Cup All Purpose Flour, 2 Cups Wheat Bran, 1 Tsp Baking Soda, 1 Tsp Salt
Add the egg, milk, and molasses directly into the bowl. Stir until just combined—do not overmix.
1 Egg, 1 Cup Milk, ½ Cup Molasses
Fold in the raisins.
¾ Cup Sultana Raisins
Spoon the batter into a greased or paper-lined 12-cup muffin tin, filling each cup about ¾ full.
Bake for 18-25 minutes, or until muffin tops spring back when gently pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove from pan immediately to keep them from drying out more. Let cool on wire rack.
Notes
💡 Amber’s Baking Notes & Tips for Muffin Success
A warm, no-fuss bake like this deserves a few quick pointers to make it shine every time. Whether it's your first batch or your fiftieth, these notes will help your raisin bran muffins turn out soft, flavorful, and freezer-friendly.
If your raisins are dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before adding to the batter.
Don’t overmix once you add the wet ingredients—just stir until the flour disappears for tender, moist muffins.
Scoop evenly for an even bake. A medium cookie scoop or ¼ cup measure keeps your muffins uniform and helps them bake at the same rate.
These bake best with the oven rack just above center for even heat and nicely domed muffin tops.
Let them cool before storing. Trapped steam leads to gummy muffin tops in the container. Cool fully before sealing them up.
Freeze extras in a container or bag for up to 3 months. They reheat well from frozen or thawed.